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Incoming Hamilton Model 21 Ships chronometer

Been wanting one for years saw this one with a buy it now for all most half what they go for so jumped on it. Should be delievered tomorrow. America before WW2 bought most of there chronometers from Europe. But when WW2 started that dried up Europe had a hard time making enough for them selfs. So Hamilton and Elgin submited there's for the Navy contract. Hamilton won. What they made in one month was what the world made in one year before WW2 a big achivement.
As you see a Fusse Movement. And the paper work of the ship it came off of. Info on the ship below. I will post more info later when I have time.Stores Ship Photo Index

Well just got it back from service last Friday. Before the service the movement had a few problems I noticed when you wind it you did not hear the clicks and if you winded it when it was running the second hand would go backwards a little and the movement would stop and the brass tub there is a spring loaded cover you move for the key hole were you wind it did not operate good. Well all those are fixed now and only one part replace due to wear the detent trip spring. She keeps good time when timed +0.5s for two days But after getting shipped back from Arizona to MT mite of changed a little it's been running for 5 days now and is four seconds fast so maybe a 1/2 second a day fast. And I got a new strap for the outer box and found a extra serial number plaque inside the inner gimble box so put it were one was missing on the outer box. One thing different with chronometer movements if you wind it at a dead stop it don't automatically start the movement running you need to give the movement a gentle twist to get the balance wheel going maybe one reason they say wind it every day kind of like giving a car a push start to get the engine running. If you have the movement out of the tub you can use a camel hair small brush to get the balance wheel going. Here is a video of what I am talking about. Did find out the year mine was made even got the copy out of the Hamilton factory log of the manufacture date 1945 so made about the end of WW2.Hamilton Model 21 Marine Chronometer, Part 3 of 3 - YouTube

brilliant buy... I always wanted a proper ships chronometer but they have gotten pricier and pricier.... many of these gimbled chronometers were made in my home town of Liverpool for the Navy... this Hamilton is a beauty.... great pics and history...